BET Awards’ tribute to gun violence victims sparks outrage. ‘Are you kidding?’
A moment meant to honor victims of gun violence at the 2022 BET Awards was met with criticism from fans who slammed the tribute as “garbage” and “extremely tone deaf” over how it was presented.
The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade and the recent spate of gun violence took center stage as the night’s big winners accepted their awards Sunday, June 26, live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
But it was an “In Memoriam” segment that marred what was supposed to be “culture’s biggest night.”
“Loss always bears a heavy toll on our hearts,” two-time host Taraji P. Henson said. “And as we take a moment to honor those in the industry that have passed on, we also would like to acknowledge those who lost their lives to senseless acts of gun violence. May they all rest in peace and rest in power.”
The tribute honored big names including Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst and Roe v. Wade before turning attention to the more than 250 mass shootings recorded in the U.S. so far this year. The sound of a gun shot rung out before the locations of each shooting filled the screen, ending with another gun shot before the screen went black.
Backlash was swift with many viewers sounding off on Twitter.
“Why would you make a tribute to gun violence victims with gun shot sounds,” one user wrote. “That was extremely tone deaf.”
BET: We’re going to honor victims of gun violence.
Also BET: Use gunshots sound effects, that’ll mess em’ up.#BETAwards— Jonah Gilmore (@JonahMGilmore) June 27, 2022
Why would you make a tribute to gun violence victims with gun shot sounds? That was extremely tone deaf #BETAwards
— CHECK YOUR STATE & LOCAL ELECTION DATES ALL 2020 (@nhychelle) June 27, 2022
The gun shots are triggering @bet idk why y’all wouldn’t know that #betawards
— BeytaDeltaKappa#8 (@CantFade_ND) June 27, 2022
Gunshot sound effects for a gun violence victim tribute feels unhinged, I have to say it #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/22OGgKxtEe
— Mekishana Pierre (@mekishana) June 27, 2022
No but.. how you say in memoriam to people lost to gun violence and more and the first thing that pops up is roe v wade then you end the slideshow with gunshots BET is so unserious.
— (@fendicheol) June 27, 2022
That segment on gun violence was absolutely garbage and tone death. @BET #BETAwards
— ASHLEY (@heyashlemonade) June 27, 2022
This BET awards is so bad.
To honor victims of gun violence you turn off the lights and use gunshot noises?— Water Ice (@wetdishsoap) June 27, 2022
Hey #BETAwards maybe don’t do gunshot sound effects for people who lost their lives to gun violence? WTF?
— Dee Phunk (@DeePhunk) June 27, 2022
BET has since issued an apology for Sunday’s presentation.
“It was not our goal to be insensitive to those whose lives have been affected by gun violence but to use our platform and jarring creative to further highlight this horrible reality and raise awareness of the growing prevalence of the issue in our country,” a BET spokesperson told McClatchy News. “We deeply apologize to those who were affected by the audio.”
The awards also featured showstopping performances by Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, who received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and surprise appearances by singer Brandy, Kanye West and Mariah Carey.
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